Turncoats continue to desert PML-N

An alarming number of individuals, from PML-N and PPP, abandoned their political parties and have joined PTI. While PML-N is tied up in a bundle of nerves from NAB cases, disqualifications and defectors, the tides seem to be in the favor of PTI.

The dissolution of PML-N continues at a staggering rate. Eight PML-N lawmakers abandoned PML-N to join Imran Khan’s PTI and the newly formed Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) on Thursday.

PTI seems to be high in demand this election season. Politicians, particularly in Punjab, are joining PTI at an extraordinarily high speed. Imran Khan’s official Facebook page features many high-profile current and ex-legislators abandoning the ruling PML-N in order to join PTI. Apparently, journalists have stopped keeping track of the number of individuals entering the much-favored Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI).

MNA Raza Hayat Harraj from Khanewal, Rana Umar Nazir Khan from Gujranwala, member of Punjab Assembly Abdul Razzaq Khan Niazi from Khanewal and MPA Raheela Yahya Munawar, all have formally announced to join the PTI after a meeting with Imran Khan at his Bani Gala residence last Thursday.

JPSM merged with PTI

Earlier, this week, in a bid to strengthen the stance on South Punjab, Junoobi Punjab Sooba Mahaaz (JPSM) members comprising of former PML-N leaders merged with PTI. The disgruntled members of the PML-N demanded a separate province and joined PTI on a pre-condition that the PTI will take practical and tangible steps for the creation of south Punjab as a separate province within 100 days after winning the next elections.

In February, PML-N’s member National Assembly (NA) Mian Tariq Mahmood and Member Provincial Assembly Mian Mazhar from Gujranwala joined PTI. On March 2, Dr. Nisar Jatt from Faisalabad left his party, along with lower tier leadership to join hands with PTI.

The group had accused the incumbent government of PML-N of neglecting Southern Punjab. PTI’s senior leader Jahangir Khan Tareen has played a central role in persuading the JPSM members to join PTI. He, along with Khusro Bakhtiar, reportedly purchased Hamza Sugar Mills for rupees 27 billion last month beating a rupees 23 billion bid from Chaudhry Munir, a relative of Maryam Nawaz.

Legislators continue to abandon PML-N

The dissolution process of PML-N, though, started a while ago, but, recently, it has taken off more vigorously. This ongoing streak of disgruntled politicians has continued for some time now. On Thursday, former MNA Ghulam Haider Thind, former MPA and district Nazim from Layyah, and Malik Asad from Lahore also joined PTI.

Rana Nazir and family from Kamonki met Khan and announced to join the party in coming days. PTI chief met Pir Nizamudeen Jami of (Golra Shareef Darbar) at his residence, who ensured Khan of their support in 2018 general elections. On May 08, PML-N Sindh delegation led by Sardar Aslam Abro met Imran Khan and announced joining PTI.

PML-N lawmaker Ramesh Kumar has also joined PTI citing party’s foul language and confrontational politics against judiciary and institutions. Last year a number of lawmakers along with their workers joined PTI. Among those was the former CM Sindh Liaquat Jatoi.

The group had accused the incumbent government of PML-N of neglecting Southern Punjab. PTI’s senior leader Jahangir Khan Tareen has played a central role in persuading the JPSM members to join PTI.

A well-known political ally of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, one of the founding member of PPP and seasoned politician from PPP, Ghulam Mustafa Khar, also decided to end his long association with PPP for PTI. Similarly, a close aide of co-chairman Pakistan People’s Party Asif Ali Zardari, Noor Alam, joined PTI in May 2017. Moreover, PPP’s, Babar Awan, Firdous Ashiq Awan, Nazar Gondal also joined PTI last year.

In February, PML-N’s member National Assembly (NA) Mian Tariq Mahmood and Member Provincial Assembly Mian Mazhar from Gujranwala joined PTI. On March 2, Dr. Nisar Jatt from Faisalabad left his party, along with lower tier leadership to join hands with PTI.

Many legislators from Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan parted ways with the ruling party last month, including Bilal Virk, a member of NA from Nankana Sahib, announced he was joining the rival PTI on March 6.

Moreover, three PML-N MNAs from Balochistan – Khalid Magsi, Jam Kamal, and Mir Dostain Khan Domki also announced their departure from the ruling party. They also accused the PML-N of failing to pay attention to the rudimentary requirements of the province.

More than 22-Legislators on brink of Leaving PML-N

Some media pundits and speculators believe that more than 22-legislators are on the brink of leaving PML-N. Senior PTI leader, Shah Mehmood Qureshi is handling their possible entry into PTI. In Pakistan’s fragile democracy, the backing of the military establishment plays a crucial rule in political engineering. Recently, it may have declined to some extent, but remains a norm benchmark to ensure a victory.

PTI chief met Pir Nizamudeen Jami of (Golra Shareef Darbar) at his residence, who ensured Khan of their support in 2018 general elections. On May 08, PML-N Sindh delegation led by Sardar Aslam Abro met Imran Khan and announced joining PTI.

The confrontational politics of Nawaz against institutions-military establishment and judiciary has made it clear that security establishment is not favoring PML-N.

The legislators are aware of the fact that tide is not in PML-N’s favor amid grave political and legal challenges facing Nawaz. PTI is the most favored option in given circumstances for legislators, ahead of 2018 general elections. But, PTI must know turncoats entering the party, deserted many parties before, and can replicate the same with in case of a loss in 2018 general elections.

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